His Mischievous Heart

Chapter Fifty-six

Liam

I woke up to the sound of the alarm. I have an appointment with my dentist today, but I don't have the strength to go. So, I just texted him to reschedule my appointment.

Tumitig ako sa ceiling sandali bago tumagilid. I reached for the pillow beside me and hugged it tightly.

I can't help but smile a little as I snipped through it.

It still smells like her.

I still remember that night when I called her to fetch me drunk. Well, I wasn't that drunk. I just want to be with her. I can't believe she came, and that made me so happy.

The second time, I felt bad for calling her. She looked so exhausted, and I found out she's having a bad headache. It was so bad she fell asleep in my arms. Though I felt bad for her, I was so happy.

That was the first time I slept soundly after we broke up.

But then after that, she never came again.

***

I smiled as I felt someone's lips pressed in my temple.

"Breakfast is ready," she whispered in my ear.

I lay flat on my back but did not open my eyes. I gestured for her to kiss me on my lips and I heard her laugh.

She kissed me on my lips after.

"Bangon na. Kailangan mo nang kumain," she said.

I opened my eyes, smiled at her, and then embraced her.

I still can't believe she's here with me now.

Last night I thought she'll never come back to me. My heart sank when I heard her say sorry. I still remember everything we said.

"I'm sorry, Liam... I'm so sorry."

"What do I need to do for you to come back to me?" I said.

I felt like my knees would give up any moment.

I've waited for this moment for a long time, for the time I could tell her that we can be together again, that she won't have to worry about my mother. But then she won't take me back.

"Please tell me what to do, Gen. I'll do anything you want," I pleaded.

She was looking at me, her eyes full of tears. I felt more hurt seeing her cry.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I cupped her face and pressed our foreheads together. "Okay, I'm sorry. I won't pressure you into anything. I'll let you go if that's— aww!"

I can't help but wince when I felt her fist smacked my head a little.

"Can I speak now?" she said.

I looked at her dumbfoundedly and slowly nodded.

The words she said after tells me a thousand words... "I love you."

Gen

Natawa na lang ako habang hinihila patayo si Liam mula sa kama.

"I don't want to get out of bed just yet," sabi niya.

"But you need to eat," sabi ko.

Sumimangot siya at hinila ako kaya napatumba ako sa ibabaw niya. Kasabay ng pagkatumba ko ay ang mahigpit na yakap niya.

"Let's stay like this for a while, please? Napagod ako kagabi," bulong niya.

"Ikaw lang ba napagod kagabi?" bulong ko rin na ikinatawa niya nang malakas.

He kissed my hair. "Other than last night. I feel like I've spent a lifetime fighting, though," aniya na ikina-guilty ko na naman.

"Sorry," bulong ko.

Iniangat niya ang mukha ko para magtama ang mga mata namin.

"Stop saying that, okay? I almost had a heart attack last night. I don't want your sorry. All I want is your love," sabi niya na ikinangiti ko.

I smiled at him and rested my head in his chest.

I've had every intention of getting back with him since a few days ago. Pero noon 'yong araw na hindi na siya tumawag. I was waiting for him, but he never called.

Ilang beses ko ring binalak na puntahan siya pero bigla akong nawawalan ng loob at hindi na lang tumutuloy. Hindi niya lang alam kung gaano ako kasaya nang dumating siya kagabi. Magpapaliwanag na sana ako pero ang dami niyang sinasabi.

I felt my heart sank as I see him cry in front of me. Just thinking how much he was hurt for the last two months makes me feel so sorry.

Pero na-misinterpret niya ang pagso-sorry ko. Akala niya, hindi ko na siya babalikan at nakikipag-kita na uli ako kay Adam.

Never akong nakipagkita kay Adam. Yes, we planned to have dinner together, but I cancelled it the last minute. Naisip ko kasing tama naman ang sinabi ni Liam. It's unfair to him kung makikipagkita ako kay Adam, samantalang 'pag siya, hindi ako pumapayag.

But Liam didn't know that. He actually thought I met Adam.

***

"Come with me," sabi ko sabay hila kay Liam papunta sa banyo.

Katatapos ko lang hugasan ang pinagkainan namin. The whole time, he was beside me, just watching my every movement.

"It's too early, wife," sabi niya nang makapasok kami sa banyo.

Napatitig ako sa kanya, iniisip kung anong ibig niyang sabihin. Nang nag-sink in sa utak ko ang tinutukoy niya ay mahinang hinampas ko siya sa braso.

"Pati 'yang utak mo, lilinisin ko na rin," sabi ko na ikinatawa niya.

Pinanood niya lang ako habang kinukuha ang kakailanganin ko. Nang makuha 'yon ay humarap ako sa kanya. Dahil sa matangkad siya ay medyo hirap akong abutin siya kaya nag-gesture akong ilapit niya ang mukha niya.

Mukhang siya naman ang hirap kaya hindi ko napigilang matawa.

Naiiling na hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang beywang at binuhat paupo sa sink. Pumwesto naman siya sa gitna ng mga hita ko. Hindi niya inalis ang pagkakahawak sa beywang ko kaya medyo itinulak ko siya para malayo ng konti na ikinasimangot niya.

Pabirong pinisil ko ang ilong niya dahilan para mangiti na muli siya.

Kumuha ako ng shaving cream at unti-unting nilagay 'yon sa mukha niya.

"You don't like me looking like this?" tanong niya.

Umiling ako. "Not really. But I want my Liam back. The clean one," sabi ko na ikinatawa niya.

"Mukha ba talaga akong dugyot?" tanong niya.

I wrinkled my nose and nodded.

Sumimangot naman siya at nagbaba ng tingin.

I chuckled and kissed his forehead.

"Just joking. You're still handsome. But we're meeting your family later, so I want you to look your best. Mahirap na, baka bawiin bigla ng mama mo 'yong pagtanggap sa'kin," sabi ko.

Dahan-dahang sinimulan ko ang pag-aahit ng facial hair niya. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin habang naka-concentrate ako para hindi siya mahiwa ng balde.

Malapad ang ngiti ko nang matapos at wala ni isang sugat sa mukha niya.

Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla niya akong halikan nang mariin sa mga labi. Napatulala ako sa kanya nang humiwalay siya.

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya, hawak pa rin ang razor sa isang kamay ko.

Natatawang humalik uli siya sa mga labi ko.